Sufficient lighting for BTA only tank?

nanonem · Jan 5, 2023

Hi folks, I have an IM Fusion 15 gallon AIO cube with two clown fish and a few BTA's. I was wondering if this NICREW 30W Reef LED Aquarium Light I purchased off Amazon is sufficient for the health of my BTA's.
The reviews do say that people have successfully used this light for their anemones and that's why I purchased it and since I wasn't really planning on adding any corals anyways.
I run these at 100% intensity (50% white, 50% blue) and PAR readings seem to be in the 100-150 zone according to this diagram and with respect to my tank's dimensions (15" x 15" x 15") :

My anemones seem to like the white lights even though it gives me GHA problems. Lately, I have also noticed that one of the nems is climbing on top of the highest rock in my tank to get more light so it makes me wonder if my other nems would also appreciate a stronger light.
I'm looking into the NooPsyche K7 Mini 60W if I really need to upgrade my light.
I'm not planning on adding any corals, just anemones.

blaxsun · Jan 5, 2023

Anemones can and do move around for a variety of reasons - not just lighting. I think you should be fine with that light. Do occasionally supplement your anemones with some brine or mysis as well.

pecan2phat · Jan 7, 2023

That seems to be extremely low PAR for an anemone.

Jekyl · Jan 7, 2023

Anemone require a mature tank, stable parameters and strong lighting. I would say that light will not be enough. Currently mine sit right under a kessil 360 turned almost all the way up.

nanonem · Jan 10, 2023

Which light do you recommend for a 15 gallon? Even AI Prime 16HD outputs only 100 PAR: “With a spread of 24″ x 24″, the AI Prime® 16HD has a peak PAR of 100µMol at a depth of 24 inches”
Am I missing something here?

nanonem · Jan 10, 2023

Which light do you recommend for a 15 gallon? Even AI Prime 16HD outputs 100 PAR: “With a spread of 24″ x 24″, the AI Prime® 16HD has a peak PAR of 100µMol”
Am I missing something here?

Schulks · Jan 10, 2023

nanonem said:
depth of 24 inches”

24 inches should be much deeper than the IM 15. You should get more than 100 at the bottom of your tank and even more than that on rocks above.

nanonem · Jan 10, 2023

Schulks said:
24 inches should be much deeper than the IM 15. You should get more than 100 at the bottom of your tank and even more than that on rocks above.

Yeah but if you see the screenshot I attached, my light gives the same PAR of 100 at 24 inches height.

exnisstech · Jan 10, 2023

pecan2phat said:
That seems to be extremely low PAR for an anemone.

I agree. Mine are sitting at 350 par and when lights are at peak and loving it. But that chart is at the bottom so maybe it would be fine with the nems up on the rocks?